Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Your despatch of the 13th of March (No. 349) has been received, together with three notes addressed to you by Earl Russell, namely, one under date of the 9th of March, in relation to the building, equipment, and fitting out in British ports of armed vessels for the destruction of American commerce; one, of the same date, relating to the Sumter; and still another, of the same date, relating to the claim of damages for the destruction of certain vessels by the Alabama, which was fitted out and despatched from a British port to cruise against American merchant vessels.
You will inform Earl Russell that the President profoundly regrets these decisions of the British government, declining to interfere to arrest proceedings [Page 214] of British subjects, within its exclusive jurisdiction, hostile and injurious to the United States. Recent instructions bearing upon the same subject will have reached you after these decisions were made. You will submit the views of the President, expressed in those later instructions, to Earl Russell.
As one more resource, it is deemed advisable that an effort be made to secure the enforcement of the enlistment laws through the action of the courts. Will you consult counsel, and have a case prepared and proceedings instituted, if advice received shall warrant any expectation of justice? This is the President’s conclusion upon the whole matter as it is known here. Nevertheless, it is not to overrule your own judgment upon an examination of all the circumstances of the case.
Upon being informed of any expense that you may incur in carrying this instruction into effect, the department will send you a credit therefor on the bankers of the United States at London.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.